Base for switch-stands



No. 6l0,684. Patented Sept. l3, I898. E. C. MATHEWS.

BASE FOR SWITCH STANDS, &c.

(Application filed Feb. 7, 1898.)

WI ml-E K Part r @Frrcn.

ELISHA C. MATHEWS, OF JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS.

BASE FOR SWITCH-STANDS, &t0.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,684, dated September 13, 1898.

Application filed February '7, 1898. Serial No. 669,401. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELISHA O. MATHEWS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Morgan and State of Illinois, have invented new and usef ul Improvements in Bases for Switch-Stands, &c., of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved base for the signaling apparatus employed in interlocking switches, railroad-crossings, switch-stands, fence-posts, and other places Where a firm and strong foundation or pier is needed; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a foundation or base constructed in accordancezwith my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical diametrical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same, and Figs. 4c and 5 are detail views.

In carrying out my invention I employ a cylindrical pipe or tile A, which is set on end and is provided at its lower end with the internal shoulders B. Bearing against these shoulders is a cross-bar or tie 0, having arib D on its upper side to prevent buckling and constructed with the grooves E at its ends, having overhanging lips F. Fitted in these transverse grooves and held by the lips are bolts Gr, which extend upward to the top of the tile and pass through the cap-plate II. This cap-plate fits on the top of the tile and is provided on its under side with the ribs I, which prevent buckling of the plate and hold it in place by engaging notches J in the upper end of the tile. Nuts K are fitted on the upper extremities of the bolts and are turned home against the cap-plate to bind the same firmly upon the tile. On the upper side of the cap are the parallel ribs L, having inwardly-projecting flanges M at their upper edges as clearly shown. In the drawings I have shown one of the levers of a switch signaling apparatus mounted on the cap-plate by means of a bracket, which is secured by bolts held under the flanges M, but it will be readily understood that a fence-post, a switchlever, or any similar device may be so fastened and secured in place.

111 placing my device in its operative position the tie or cross-bar O is placed against the shoulders B, and the bolts G are moved laterally, so that their heads will engage under the lips F, after which a small board is placed on the upper end of the tile and the nuts K tightened. The device is then inserted in the excavation prepared for it and the earth tamped solidly around it and forced under the cross-bar or tie. The wooden cover is then removed and earth tamped within the tile, so as to hold the bolts in their proper positions and eifect a thorough burial of the tile. The cap-plate is then fitted inplace and the nuts K turned home against the same. The securing-bolts to hold the fence-post or other device are then inverted, so that their heads may engage the flanges M and be slipped into place, as will be readily understood.

It willbe seen from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, that I have provided a device which furnishes a firm and strong foundation or pier which can be easily fitted together in its operative position at a slight cost and which is free of all unnecessary joints. The overhanging lips and flanges facilitate the fitting together of the bolts and the parts held by them. The tile or foundation-pipe is preferably circular in cross-section, but may be of any desired shape, and it may sometimes be desirable to employ an angular shape in order to guard against turning of the pipe in the ground.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is e I 1. The combination of a tile or pipe, having internal shoulders at its lower end, a crossbar fitting against said shoulders and provided at its ends with transverse grooves having overhanging lips, bolts having their heads fitted in said grooves and under said lips and extending up to the upper end of the pipe, a cap-plate on the upper end of the tile held by said bolts, and means carried by the capplate for holding a fence-post or other device.

2. The combination of a tile or pipe having notches in its upper end, a cap-plate having ribs engaging said notches, and bolts held in the lower end of the tile and securing the said In testimony whereof I have hereunto set cap-plate. my hand in the presence of two subscribing 1o 3. The combination With a tile or pipe, of a Witnesses. cap fitted on the upper end of the same and 5 provided on its upper sides with parallel ribs ELISHA MATHEWS having horizontal flanges at their upper Witnesses: edges, and means for securing the cap rigidly CHARLES A. BARNES, to the pipe. I LENA C. ENGEL. 

